Former Canyon Lake Mayor Mary Craton passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 11, in Surprise, Arizona.
Born on March 23, 1936, in Camden, New Jersey, to Mary and Norman Metzger, Mary always served others and dedicated herself to community service.
Mary was a registered nurse with a master’s degree and advanced certification in nursing administration. She was a nurse executive at the Los Angeles County/USC Medical center for many years, directing educational activities for 3,000 employees. In 2018, Mary was honored to address the 50th anniversary celebration of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.
Mary relocated to Canyon Lake in 1996 and became involved in the community. She served as the president of the Women’s Golf Club, on the board of the Woman’s Club, Travel Club, and Lioness Club, and as a director of the Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee Field Treatment Center.
Mary served on the Canyon Lake City City Council from 2002 to 2013. She was appointed mayor in 2007, 2009, and 2013. By 2013, Mary had served on the council longer than any other council member since Canyon Lake was incorporated as a city.
In 2021, after living in Canyon Lake for 25 years, Mary relocated to Peoria, Arizona, to be closer to her family. Mary said she wanted to be remembered as “someone who truly loves Canyon Lake, did my very best, had no personal agendas, always acted in the interest of the city, and helped many residents with individual problems. I want to be remembered as one of the good guys.”
Mary’s motto was, “Be kind to others and make someone smile every day.”
Mary was preceded in death by parents Mary and Norman Metzger, husband Leroy “Bud” Craton, sister Dolores Beebe, and nephew Larry Beebe. She is survived by brother Norman Metzger, nieces Karen Beebe and Susan Ulloa, nephew Steve Rehnberg, and many great nieces and nephews.
Mary will be buried with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Animal Friends of the Valleys.
